Cavaliers season preview: Your guide to key games

Whether you have tickets to the games or not, here are some key matchups you'll want to catch this season.

Chris Beaven

Can’t miss games from a seat at the Q

Don’t have season tickets? Here’s a game a month for an NBA fan to check out in person.

Oct. 31 – DALLAS: It’s the opener and the lone visit by MVP Dirk Nowitzki and company. The Mavs have plenty to prove after last year’s playoff flop.

Nov. 27 – BOSTON: The new-look Celtics arrive for the first time. Kevin Garnett’s preseason triple-double against the Cavaliers shows just how versatile he is with talent around him.

Dec. 20 – L.A. LAKERS: The biggest question about this game: Will Kobe Bryant still be a Laker? If he is, LeBron vs. Kobe always has promise.

Jan. 25 – PHOENIX: The Cavaliers had no answers for the Suns last year. Will that change this year?

Feb. 10 – DENVER: Year 5 of LeBron vs. Carmelo gets a new twist — Allen Iverson. The Nuggets need to avoid a slow start or George Karl could be out as coach by this time.

Feb. 13 – SAN ANTONIO: OK, we’re cheating with two games this month. Consider a Valentine’s Gift. Of course, if the Cavs are not playing better by then, this becomes the Valentine’s Day Massacre.

March 19 – DETROIT: With the season winding down, the Pistons make their first visit of the regular season. They return for the final game of the regular season a month later, April 16.

Apr. 13 – MIAMI: D-Wade and Shaq, if both healthy, should help make for entertaining Sunday matinee in the penultimate home game.

Can’t-miss games from a seat on the couch

Order a pizza, DVR anything else worth watching and enjoy these Cavalier road games on TV.

Nov. 6 – GOLDEN STATE (FSN Ohio): It’s the second of a six-game trip out West that sets an early tone to the season. Coming two days after a visit to Phoenix, the Cavs may need to win this one to build momentum. Plus, if Baron Davis is on his game, the Warriors are a joy to watch.

Dec. 27 – DALLAS (TNT): Two days after Christmas, here’s another gift: LeBron and Dirk on the floor. The Chuckster, Kenny and Ernie in the studio. Gold.